How to ask good networking questions

How you ask questions can make a big difference in your networking success.

Networking is such a big part of a job search. Those who have found opportunities through networking will never forget it and can attest to the unexpected power of this tool.

That power lies in the exchange of information that can take place anywhere, from a formal information-gathering meeting to a casual conversation in line at the grocery store. When you consider one out of every 13 people on earth — or about 500 million — are Facebook users, the power of connecting becomes clear.

The average Facebook user has approximately 130 friends. That’s a lot of potential networking contacts. But, if you don’t network properly, you’re not going to get job leads.

Job seekers tend to miss the value of asking good questions and having a clear idea of what they need. These two elements are key to taking conversations from small chats to information-sharing sessions. They also often overlook the value of rapport-building; too many questions can make a contact feel uncomfortable.

How you ask questions when networking can be as important as the questions themselves. Whenever possible, use open-ended questions — those questions that can’t be answered with a yes or no. Here’s an example of an open-ended question: What advice would you give someone just starting in this business?

At some point in any conversation, you probably will ask for additional networking contacts. Here’s a tip: Replace the “do you know anyone …?” question with a “who do you know … ?” question. You’re more likely to get a name or two this way.

A few slight changes in the way you ask questions can lead to a job opportunity. The right questions will lead to the right answers.